CHICAGO – The American Dietetic Association, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, has officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The change took effect January 1.

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has been in existence since 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, after working to feed the troops healthfully during World War I. Protecting the public’s health is the highest priority of the Academy and our members, and our new name complements our focus: the nutritional well-being of the American public,” said registered dietitian and Academy President Sylvia Escott-Stump.

“An academy is ‘a society of learned persons organized to advance science.’ This term describes our organization and immediately emphasizes the educational strength of our advice and expertise.”

“By adding nutritionto our name, we communicate our capacity for translating nutrition science into healthier lifestyles for everyone. Keeping dietetics supports our history as a food and science-based profession. Thus, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics quickly and accurately communicates our identity – who we are and what we do,” Escott-Stump said.

“Whether planning nutritious meals for children in day-care centers or schools, teaching individuals with diabetes about managing their blood sugar or saving lives with complex nutritional interventions after surgery, registered dietitians are the best qualified providers. The name change communicates that wearethe nutrition experts,”she said.

The Academy’s award-winning website remains www.eatright.org. The colorful Eat Right logo will stay a part of the organization’s graphic identity. In addition, the ADA Foundation has become the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation.

“While our name has changed to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, we still have the same mission, the same powerful Eat Right message, and are still bringing the same quality nutrition advice to the table as we have for nearly 100 years,” Escott-Stump said.

“The field of nutrition has changed over this century, and we’re evolving to meet these needs—as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.”

Thank you for your response about my husband’s health scare (boy, was it scary). He is doing GREAT now and his liver enzyme numbers continue to trend in the right direction. Wheat grass juice, lots of asparagus, avocado, spinach, broccoli, every kind of lettuce imaginable are very often on his plate (the wheat grass juice goes into a mug with green tea!). I truly appreciate your very helpful response!

Now I’m writing about a friend’s daughter. She was adopted from China as a baby and now, as a teen, is experiencing some rheumatological issues, one of which is Raynaud’s and the other could be Lupus. Are there suggestions you might have for us this time, too??

Ohio Fan

Dear Ohio Fan:

I’m so thrilled that my advice helped your husband – sounds like you are on the right path!

I’m very sorry to hear about your friend’s daughter. Regarding what nutrition advice I can offer, I would suggest that your friend bring their daughter to see a registered dietitian who specializes in autoimmune and possibly connective tissue disorders. You can find a registered dietitian in their area by visiting www.eatright.org. With that being said, here are some dietary suggestions for considertaion as a launch point.

Raynaud’s is a disorder of small blood vessels that feed the skin. Quite often “attacks” can be triggered by cold exposure and stress. There are a variety of possible causes but to date, doctors are not fully aware of why Raynaud’s occurs. Raynaud’s is more common in woman than in men but the onset most often occurs later on in life – in their 40’s or older. But Raynaud’s can also arise as a secondary development to conditions such as scleroderma and/or lupus, for example. Medications are often prescribed that help dilate the blood vessels which improves circulation.

In my book, 101 Optimal Life Foods, I have a section on healing foods that may help promote circulation and improve cold feet and hands. These include foods that are rich in the amino acid arginine which helps produce nitric oxide – a vasodialator – that promotes circulation. Those foods include:

Peanuts (unless allergic to them)

Almonds

Walnuts

Brazil nuts

Soybeans

Dairy products

Lean meat

Oats

Barley

Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackeral

Chickpeas

I’m not sure what blood tests the teenager has had so far but I have found girls/women with iron deficiency often suffer from cold hands and feet. They may benefit from taking a good multi-vitamin with iron and concentrate on iron-rich foods such as:

Fortified cereals

Dried fruits

Red meat

Beans

Whole eggs

Dark leafy greens

Green tea, berries and chocolate contain plant nutrients called polyphenols that promote circulation, too. Lastly, an overall diet that is low in saturated and transfat also promotes blood flow and avoidng stress (rolls off the lips easily but not always easily done) and temperature extremes has been shown to keep Raynauds attacks at bay.

Like this:

Happy Registered Dietitian day! I wanted to thank all of my colleagues who tirelessly get out the good news, everyday, about the benefits of eating healthy foods. And I thought I would celebrate this special day with the one food that dietitians have to defend the most – potatoes!

Please join honorary dietitian, Barbie, as she sets Ken straight on the health benefits of potatoes…with a little help from “Tot”. Enjoy!